By Gregory Doyle
AMR South Mississippi
Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. More than 1,836 lives were lost and property damage exceeded $81 billion. Mississippi suffered the full impact of the category three hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 mph.
For the past few days I have seen many different newscasts and reporters doing their best to describe the impact that this storm had on the Gulf Coast.
I can still see the scars left on the landscape, and many times I still get lost on Highway 90 because so many landmarks have not been replaced and there are still so many empty lots where homes or businesses once stood.
I look around and I remember what we all went through. The torment we felt not knowing if loved ones were safe, and the utter relief we felt when we got the good news that they were.
I remember the dread I felt while I was taking phone calls and messages about my friends in Hancock County as the storm approached, and the elation I felt when I heard the voice of Joel Ellzie on the radio as he stood at the one spot in Hancock County where the radio he had still transmitted to Harrison County.
I remember the many, many phone calls we all processed, some of them with very poor outcomes.
I remember how wonderful that first hot shower was after a week of cold ones.
Every month when I test my home generator I remember the hum of the different generators in my neighborhood every day and night until we had power restored.
I remember the daily chores...get gas, get ice, and get food.
I remember the generosity of others, the look of thanks in someone’s eyes when they were given a cold bottle of water on the sweltering days after the storm. Try as I might, I will never forget the taste of an MRE and will always cherish and support the Waffle House for being the first restaurant to open after the storm.
I remember the assistance given to my family by the employees of AMR.
I remember the Methodists patching my roof for my wife because I could not get home to do it.
I remember the stories of the little boy found on top of a floating car, and the tears in my friends eyes as he told me the story of the wonderful child who donated his last penny to help others in need.
I guess I remember a lot of things. But most of all I remember this: Not one person among us abandoned our post while this frightening storm was approaching. I freely admit that the few days before Katrina made landfall, it was very difficult to be brave, and staying where I was needed to be was difficult. Maybe you will agree, maybe you won’t, but it was very hard to be brave that Sunday.
To all the responders, I tip my hat and offer a heartfelt and very sincere “thank you” for your bravery, commitment and leadership before, during and after Katrina.
We may continue to work together on many different projects, but I will never forget what we went through.
Soon this date will pass each year without much notice but until that day comes may we all remember what we survived and how we overcame disaster and became better men and women from it.